The weekend kicks off on Thursday, as Reading entertain Queens Park Rangers at the Madejski Stadium.

The Royals go into the game on the back of a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, while QPR have made headlines after they were granted permission to talk to Burton Albion manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the last few days.

On Friday, Middlesbrough are on Sky Sports for a second time in four days, when they go to seventh-placed Ipswich Town. Boro lost 2-0 to Everton in the Capital One Cup in midweek, and visit Portman Road with the Tractor Boys riding a six-game unbeaten streak.

Saturday's headline act sees a rivalry renewed in the Championship between Burnley and Preston North End for the first time since 2011. The Lancashire duo have been kept apart in respective divisions in recent years, but finally meet again at Turf Moor.

Still unbeaten, and now back at the top are Brighton & Hove Albion, whose latest attempt at sustaining their phenomenal run comes at home to Charlton Athletic. The Addicks' revival was thwarted last weekend by Ipswich, but they had recorded back-to-back victories prior to that.

Hull City's bid to get back to winning ways after a 2-0 home defeat by Derby sees them travel to Leeds United, who have lost two games of their own in recent outings to slide down to 17th in the standings.

Birmingham City have also stumbled of late, falling to consecutive defeats, and their attempt at getting back on track comes against Huddersfield Town at St Andrew's. Huddersfield currently occupy the first of the relegation places, and are still seeking a maiden win under manager David Wagner.

Unbeaten in three and with a new Head Coach at the helm are Brentford, who appointed former Walsall boss Dean Smith on Monday. His first test comes in the form of Milton Keynes Dons, who've won just one of their last seven Sky Bet Championship games.

Elsewhere, bottom club Bolton Wanderers host Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers go to Bristol City, Nottingham Forest play Fulham and Rotherham United welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

Derby County enjoyed a brief spell at the summit last weekend after toppling previous leaders Hull, and could return there on Sunday if they beat Sheffield Wednesday and other weekend results go their way.

Match Official Appointments

The match official appointments for this weekend's Sky Bet Championship fixtures were announced earlier this week.